Visit your healthcare provider if your cough lasts longer than two weeks, or if you think you are coughing up blood

About

About This Condition

A cough is a symptom of many diseases. Most coughs come from simple viral infections, such as the common cold. Sometimes, but not always, mucus is produced with the cough. If
the color is green or yellow, it may be a hint of a bacterial
infection, although this is not always a reliable indicator. If the color is red, there may be bleeding
in the lungs. Any cough that produces blood or blood-stained mucus, as well as any cough that lasts more than
two weeks, requires a visit to a medical professional for diagnosis.

Holistic Options

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may be helpful in the treatment of a cough. Cupping (the use of a glass cup to create suction over a skin surface) is a traditional Chinese therapy, often used for patients to help relieve a cough. An uncontrolled study using cupping to relieve coughs reported a curative response in 35 of 41 patients.1 Other TCM therapies, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, may be helpful in cough-producing ailments such as asthma and bronchitis.

Supplements

Our proprietary "Star-Rating" system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

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Historically, herbal practitioners have recommended a steam inhalation of eucalyptus vapor to help treat asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and emphysema.

Caution: Do not use eucalyptus oil internally without supervision by a healthcare professional. As little as 3.5 ml of the oil taken internally has proven fatal.

The early 19th-century Eclectic physicians in the United States (who used herbs as their main medicine) not only employed eucalyptus oil to sterilize instruments and wounds but also recommended a steam inhalation of the oil's vapor to help treat asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and emphysema.3

In a study of women with iron deficiency and a chronic unexplained cough, supplementation with iron for two months significantly improved symptoms.

In a study of women with iron deficiency and a chronic unexplained cough, supplementation with iron for two months significantly improved symptoms.4 Since iron supplementation can be harmful for people who are not deficient, iron levels should be checked with a blood test before taking iron supplements.

Marshmallow has a long history of use for treating coughs and has been shown in one study to have cough-relieving abilities.

A number of herbs have a rich history of use for treating coughs due to colds, bronchitis, or other mild conditions. Only a few studies have examined the effectiveness of these herbs. However, their effectiveness is well-known by practitioners of herbal medicine the world over. Among those herbs that have been shown to have some degree of cough-relieving activity are marshmallow,6sundew,7 and coltsfoot.8 Use of coltsfoot should be limited to preparations of the leaves and flowers only, as the root is high in pyrrolizidine alkaloids, constituents that may be toxic to the liver.

Sundew has a long history of use for treating coughs and has been shown in one study to have cough-relieving abilities.

A number of herbs have a rich history of use for treating coughs due to colds, bronchitis, or other mild conditions. Only a few studies have examined the effectiveness of these herbs. However, their effectiveness is well-known by practitioners of herbal medicine the world over. Among those herbs that have been shown to have some degree of cough-relieving activity are marshmallow,9sundew,10 and coltsfoot.11 Use of coltsfoot should be limited to preparations of the leaves and flowers only, as the root is high in pyrrolizidine alkaloids, constituents that may be toxic to the liver.

Thyme has a long history of use in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as for bronchitis.12 Many constituents in thyme team up to provide its antitussive (preventing and treating a cough), antispasmodic, and expectorant actions. The primary constituents are the volatile oils, which include the phenols thymol and carvacol.13 These are complemented by the actions of flavonoids along with saponins. Thyme, either alone or in combination with herbs such as sundew, continues to be one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as for whooping cough.14 Because of its apparent safety, it has become a favorite for treating coughs in small children.

1 Star

Thyme

Refer to label instructions

Many constituents in thyme team up to provide its antispasmodic, mucus-expelling, and cough-preventing actions. It also appears to be safe even for small children.

Thyme has a long history of use in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as for bronchitis.15 Many constituents in thyme team up to provide its antitussive (preventing and treating a cough), antispasmodic, and expectorant actions. The primary constituents are the volatile oils, which include the phenols thymol and carvacol.16 These are complemented by the actions of flavonoids along with saponins. Thyme, either alone or in combination with herbs such as sundew, continues to be one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as for whooping cough.17 Because of its apparent safety, it has become a favorite for treating coughs in small children.

1 Star

Usnea

Refer to label instructions

Usnea contains mucilage, which may be helpful in easing irritating coughs.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2016.

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